Healing of the man with dropsy on the Sabbath

ON a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing Him carefully. In front of Him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath or not?” But they kept silent; so He took the man and, after He had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” But they were unable to answer His question.

REFLECTION IS IT LAWFUL TO CURE ON THE SABBATH OR NOT? Disputes over Sabbath healings have been mentioned earlier in Luke (cf 6:6-11 and 13:10-17), with difference only on the argument in support of the healing, legal concessions to emergency. The frequency of stories on healings on the Sabbath reflects the importance of Sabbath observance in Judaism and the continuing tensions it has caused not only between the Church and the synagogue but also between Jewish and Gentile groups within the Church. The Pharisees consider the Sabbath to be a sacred day. But Jesus subordinates this religious observance to the need of human beings. Jesus declared that the Sabbath law should not prevent a person from having access to God and to life itself. The well-being of a person is of greater importance than mere observance of the law. As Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, we should make our own Jesus’ priority — the wellbeing of persons. Sometimes, people hide behind human laws to justify their selfish interests. Human laws should be based on the divine law, which protects, nourishes, and promotes life.

“The glory of God is a human being fully alive.” —Saint Irenaeus